The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-10-01


primaries and there vote
preference to another;
I Packing three hundred negro voters
into a crowded hall, into which 1t was
impossible for but few white Democrats
to force their way, calling this pitiful
Dem ocratic mass-meeting,
and by it electing delegates to DEM
ocratic State convention TO represent
the Democracy Of Ouachita;
Assembling at various times their
ignorant and subdued plantation hands
In 80 called mass-mectings, under cir
cumstances which rendered ii tmpossi-
bic for the voice of the white Democ-
racy to no heard, there, by color of
authority derived from an executive
committee Of their own creation, to
register the DEGREES of this little coterle
Of white Democrats, aud calling 1t an
expression of Democratic sentiment;
Perverting the machinery of the
Democratic party of the parish to Pri-
vate and selfish ends;
Basing the representation In Demo
cratic parish conventions on the negro
vote so that their power might he per.
petuated
Departing from Democratic usage pre-
cedeni aud princl pie to elect Democra-
tic parish executive committee, 80 that
the wards wherein the negro vote was
largest should have twice the represen-
tation on tho committee, and twice the
power In this committee that was &C.
corded to those wards where the white
vote was in excess, and declaring that
this undemocratic committee should
remain undisturbed In its power by
any subsequent parish con veniion until
1888;
In u word, lhrusiing us lack
into the same political slough from
which tho parish was rescued with such
pain and peril in 1876; betraying the
white people of the parish and lower
ing the high standard OF Democracy,
therefore
BE It resolved by the white Demo-
Gratis OF Ouachita parish,
1.-That In contests inside the Dem
ocratic party, resort to the old Re.
publican method of controlling the
negro vote by fear and Intimidation,
the bringing OF negro voters to prIma-
ries under guard there to be voted for
one Democrat or cue set of Democrats
and against another, the assertion that
those who work the negroes have a
right to vote their negro laborers tor
whom they please, at such primaries
and mass-meetings, is wrong, undemo-
cratic, dangerous to the liberty of the
entire people, and If persisted In must
lead to the most disastrous results.
2.-That it Is our sacred duty as
Democrats bound by repeated pledges,
to restore to the parish a government
OF the people by the people, under
humblest citizen shall be as secure In
the enjoyment OF his life, liberty, prop
erty and pursuit Of happiness, as the
most Influential or wealthy.
3.-That we denounce as undemO-
cratic the assumption of few individ-
uals, who pretend that by reason OF
their services to the party in the past,
they are entitled now to act as dtcta-
tors, to meet In secret caucus, and to
apportion out the offices among them.
selves, their henchmen and favorites.
4.-That to secure a government of
the people, responsible to the people, 1t
is absolutely necessary, as well for the
black man as for the white man and
for the general welfare of the parish,
that the conduct of party affairs should
he committed to the hands of white
Democrats alone; painful experience
having taught Us that, while the col.
ored voter, If left to the guidance of his
own Judgment might be willing to do
right. yet he is constantly an easy prey
to tho designing and vicious, his timid
and dependent nature rendering him
unfit to resist the encroachments of the
bold and aggressive, and his fears for
his personal safety depriving him of
the character Of free agent.
5.-That it Is the duty Of white Dem
ocrats to afford protection and encour-
agement to the negro, In fulfillment of
the solemn promises OF the Democratic
party in 1876 and 1878.
G.-That these cardinal principles OF
Democracy, uhe will Of the majority
shall rule" and "ofliclals shall I've re-
sponsible to the people" have for years
been disregardcd in this parish by the
few white Democrats who have seized
upon the machinery Of the Democratic
party, who have nominated and elected
officers at theIr will, and held these
officers accountable only to themselves;
and that continuance of such a state
of affairs is intollerable among free
people and must result In great disaster
If not corrected.
THAT in order to effect an organi-
cation to carry out the principles heres